It might be tough to top the pure hatred exhibited between the New York Rangers and Pittsburgh Penguins during the NBC Game of the Week, but the five remaining Sunday contests should feature plenty of intensity. Every game has playoff implications, so it should be a fun night of hockey. As always, all start times are according to Eastern Standard Time (ET).

5:00 pm

Nashville @ Buffalo

The West’s eighth seed visits the East’s eight seed in a game that is important for both sides. Each team is coming off big Saturday wins, as the Predators rode an outstanding Pekka Rinne performance to beat the Red Wings while the Sabres absolutely crushed the Thrashers 8-2.

Buffalo will extinguish their one extra game in hand over the ninth-place Hurricanes, but could stretch their lead from two to four. Meanwhile, a win for Nashville would (briefly) propel them to fifth in the West.

New Jersey @ Columbus

Much like the Predators-Sabres game, this matches two conference twins, as the Devils rank 12th in the East while the Blue Jackets are in 12th in the West. While New Jersey’s odds are a little better (even though both teams are eight points behind their respective conference’s eight seeds), they both might already be toast. Whoever wins this game still can hold onto their slim dreams, while a loss – especially during regulation – could be the last straw.

6:00 pm

Montreal @ Minnesota

Both teams have been struggling a bit lately, but while the Habs’ main concerns regard their seeding more than earning a playoff spot, the Wild’s potential for a postseason keeps fading. It’s hard to imagine that Minnesota would be able to close the gap in time to make the playoffs if they don’t win this game. Sadly for them, it might be too late even if they do defeat the Canadiens.

8:00 pm

Calgary @ Anaheim

The ninth-place Ducks (83 pts in 71 GP) host the 1oth-ranked Flames (83 pts in 73 GP) in this high-stakes game. While Calgary has more to lose since they only have nine games remaining compared to Anaheim’s 11, both teams find themselves out of the West’s top eight right now. The Ducks could make a nice jump into the sixth or seventh spot with a win tonight, but the Flames aren’t going to make it easy.

Chicago @ Phoenix

The Blackhawks (84 pts in 71 GP) still need to fight to maintain their position in the top eight while the Coyotes (89 pts in 73 GP) have a legitimate chance to win the Pacific Division. After a red-hot run, Chicago is struggling with just one win in their last five games while Phoenix is on a five-game winning streak, so it seems like the Coyotes might have the advantage. At least on paper, anyway.

An early start to the day in St. Paul thanks to the WCHA college hockey championships at night and for the Wild it’s a true make it or break it game. They’re six points out of the eighth spot in the West and a loss to the Jackets pretty much ends their playoff hopes. The return of Mikko Koivu hasn’t given them the boost they were hoping for and the scoring hasn’t shown up enough for them. Hope is a good thing to have and for the Wild it’s all they’ve got right now for the postseason. The Jackets will be hoping to play spoilers and help the Wild join them in misery in waiting until the NHL Draft.

7:00 p.m.

Atlanta @ Buffalo

Buffalo hangs on to the slimmest of advantages in the East playoff race and they’ll be hoping to get a little breathing room against the desperate Thrashers. They’ve got the tiebreaker over the Hurricanes in spite of both teams being tied with 76 points. Atlanta, meanwhile, has 72 points and a win gets them more into the thick of things for the playoffs. Calling this a crucial game for both teams is quite accurate. For teams that may or may not make the playoffs, games like these are their playoff warm up.

Boston @ Toronto

Toronto is hanging on to hope for the postseason by a thread and wouldn’t it figure that they’d have to deal with the Bruins to keep it alive. Making things more awkward, it’ll mark the return of Tomas Kaberle to Toronto, only now as a member of the Bruins. If you’re thinking he’ll get booed, think again. Expect to see James Reimer in goal for Toronto to keep their hopes alive and after J.S. Giguere and the Leafs offense had a spectacular failure against Florida the other night, don’t expect Ron Wilson to make those same mistakes again. For Boston, they’re hoping to gain ground on lurking Montreal in the Northeast Division. The Habs are just two points back of the Bruins but the B’s have two games in hand, meaning a win here goes a long way to securing the division title.

Tampa Bay @ Ottawa

The Lightning are six back of Washington for the division lead in the Southeast but they’re just two behind Pittsburgh for the fourth seed and home ice in the first round. Ottawa has 61 points and the third worst record in the NHL, ahead of just Colorado and Edmonton. Clearly, two teams in very different places. A win for Tampa Bay is huge here if they hope to get home ice. While Pittsburgh doesn’t show many signs of weakening, the Lightning must beat teams like Ottawa to put the pressure on the Pens.

NY Islanders @ Florida

Not every game is going to be one that grabs your attention. Instead, these two will be doing battle over who gets a better advantage in the lottery. Florida is just one point better than the Isles and the Isles are on a two game losing skid. Florida has been typically inconsistent of late alternating wins and losses. If you’re fired up for who wins between the fourth and fifth worst teams in the NHL, you’re a stronger person than most.

8:00 p.m.

Detroit @ Nashville

It’s a huge game for the Predators at home as they’re one point behind Calgary for eighth in the West and two behind Dallas and Chicago. A win puts them back in a great place in the West while a loss falls away as a missed opportunity. A Detroit win would put a virtual lock on the Central Division crown over Chicago. The Wings have a ten point lead on Chicago right now and adding to that would make it nearly impossible for the Hawks to get back in it.

Philadelphia @ Dallas

The Flyers could stand to get a win to continue to keep their lead in the Eastern Conference. With the Capitals continuing to win behind them, getting wins (or even points) is huge. Fortunately for Philly, they have three games in hand on Washington. Dallas sits in sixth in the West with 84 points just one point behind L.A. and five behind Phoenix. The Stars would like to at least just keep up with the joneses and a win would do that. With how things go in the west, any losses at all are a huge set back. With how both teams are playing, this should be one of the more fun games to see tonight.

10:00 p.m.

Colorado @ Edmonton

The two worst teams in the NHL square off to see who wants the best shot at the first pick in the 2011 draft the most. A win by Colorado would put them seven points off of the Oilers for worst record whereas an Oilers victory makes Colorado a real threat to finish the year as the NHL’s worst team. While there’s no real front-runner for the consensus player to be taken number one in the draft, both of these teams should have a huge interest in Swedish defenseman Adam Larsson.

10:30 p.m.

Anaheim @ Los Angeles

It’s the first of three games these two will play against each other over the next few weeks before the end of the season and each one should be vital for both teams when it comes to the playoffs. L.A. is currently in fifth in the Western Conference with 85 points while the Ducks are two points back of Calgary for eighth with 81. The Kings embarrassed themselves at home against St. Louis on Thursday night and facing off against their neighborly rivals should be the potion they need to wake up. The Ducks are winners of six out of their last eight games and coming off a win over the Blues on Wednesday. It’s got the makings of a barnburner in L.A.

St. Louis @ San Jose

The Sharks would like to keep the surging Coyotes off their heels and a win would extend their lead in the Pacific to three points. Now that Phoenix has reemerged as a threat to the top spot in the division, the Sharks will be tested to see how they handle the stress of being pursued. St. Louis would like to make their California road swing a memorable and potentially spoileriffic one by dealing the Sharks a loss. If they can defend the way they did in their 4-0 win over Los Angeles, the Sharks are in for a world of trouble.

Want a nice sign that the playoffs are almost here? Teams are starting to clinch playoff spots this week, as the Vancouver Canucks already accomplished the feat while both the Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers are eligible to do so tonight. We’ll explain how and preview tonight’s four games in this post.

As always, all start times are according to Eastern Standard Time (ET).

First, how the Flyers can clinch a playoff spot (without even playing):

If the Hurricanes lose in regulation and Devils get one point or less, Philadelphia’s playoff spot will be secure. (Source: NHL.com.)

7:00 pm

Washington @ New Jersey

If the Capitals win and the Hurricanes lose in regulation, Washington will clinch a playoff spot tonight. Obviously, that means that it’s just a matter of time for the Caps.

The same cannot be said for the Devils, who must continue to jump through hoops to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. They’ll root for the Canes to go without a point, but would prefer the Capitals to complete the other half of that task on some other night.

Nicklas Backstrom will be back in the lineup and Michal Neuvirth is expected to return to the Washington net, so this could be a genuine challenge for the desperate Devils.

NY Islanders @ Carolina

The Hurricanes have a chance to increase their bubble lead over the Devils, as they have no excuses when it comes to playing a team like the Islanders. That’s not to say that Garth Snow’s gang hasn’t been intermittently frisky, it’s just that if Carolina wants to make the playoffs, they need to win games like these.

Montreal @ NY Rangers

The Rangers have a tiny cushion for a playoff spot, but they must be weary of the Devils, Hurricanes and other bubble teams (plus the Buffalo Sabres, if they fall out of the eighth spot).

That means making the best of every game, which will be tough tonight. The Rangers have lost five straight games against the Canadiens and have only scored three goals in the teams’ last three contests.

They will, however, have the opportunity to exploit a Habs team that might be a little winded. Montreal played a high-energy game against Tampa Bay last night, so if there’s ever a time for the Rangers to get over the hump, it would be tonight.

10:00 pm

Phoenix @ Vancouver

If you want evidence of how far ahead the Canucks are compared to every other team in the NHL, here’s this simple fact: Vancouver clinched the Northwest Division title before anyone else clinched a playoff spot.

You would think that their substantial points lead would cause their motivation to wane, but they keep playing great hockey. The Coyotes need this game to keep themselves a stride ahead of the pack, but knowing the Canucks, points won’t come easily … if at all.

Philly can gain a little breathing room on the Caps for the lead in the East with a win. Atlanta is fighting to stay in the hunt for the playoffs and a win helps keep them in the race four back of Buffalo. Atlanta’s been better of late but you worry that they may have slipped back far enough to be kept out of the playoffs. Four of Atlanta’s last five games have gone to overtime. Handing out the free loser point this time of year makes everyone cringe.

Detroit @ Columbus

After beating the Caps last night, Detroit looks to roll onward towards locking up the Central Division. Detroit’s got an eight point lead on Chicago for the Central and with fewer games left in the year, it’s almost inevitable the Wings are winning the division and a top three seed in the playoffs. Columbus would love to help slow that down but they’ve lost eight of their last nine games including four in overtime or the shootout.

7:30 p.m.

Tampa Bay @ Montreal

Perhaps the night’s most curious game as a Montreal win in regulation gets them to within two points of catching the Lightning for fifth in the East. Both Pittsburgh and Boston should be keeping tabs on these two teams as they’re likely who they’ll face in the first round of the playoffs in one way or another. Montreal’s won seven of their last ten games and are within four points of Boston for the Northeast Division lead. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay is in a funk, losing six of their last eight games and they’re five points back of Washington for the Southeast Division lead.

New Jersey @ Ottawa

A big road game for the Devils as a win helps keep the dream alive. It’s also the first of their five remaining back-to-back sets of games as they’ll be at home tomorrow against the Capitals. Figuring out a way to navigate those sets of games and keep winning is going to be tough for them. Ottawa, meanwhile, is again looking like one of the worst teams in the league as not even Craig Anderson has been able to stand on his head enough of late to get them back to winning.

Toronto @ Florida

Speaking of keeping dreams alive, the Maple Leafs got an other-worldly performance out of James Reimer last night to give the Leafs a win to keep them within four points of Buffalo. A win tonight might make the faithful in Toronto go catatonic in fear of having their hearts broken with so few games left in the season. Florida won’t be a pushover team even in spite of them essentially being done.

8:00 p.m.

Boston @ Nashville

It’s a Vezina Trophy showdown in Nashville with Boston’s Tim Thomas facing off against Pekka Rinne of the Predators. We know that Thomas has garnered most of the praise and early ballots as the favorite for the goaltending prize, but Rinne has been there with him step for step. Thomas leads the NHL in save percentage at .938 and Rinne is second with .928. Thomas also leads in goals against average at 2.03 while Rinne is right behind him with 2.09. We know that Rinne hasn’t been getting nearly the same attention but you wonder just where the Predators would be without Pekka Rinne. Our guess, well out of the playoffs and struggling. Perhaps there’s another trophy for Rinne to go after if he leads the Preds to the playoffs.

8:30 p.m.

Chicago @ Dallas

While Chicago hopes to jump back up the standings into the middle of the playoff pack in the West, Dallas would like to avoid being put in danger of being bounced out of the top eight. Games like this are going to make the race out West thrilling because any team taking a loss, never mind a losing streak, has a brutal effect on their chances of making the postseason. Dallas sits in seventh right now a point ahead of Anaheim and Calgary and two ahead of Nashville. Chicago is in sixth but a win could vault them up to fourth.

9:00 p.m.

Colorado @ Calgary

Colorado proved themselves worthy enough to blow a 2-0 lead to Vancouver last night to help the Canucks clinch the division and a playoff spot. Calgary hopes they’ll be woeful enough to help them jump back into the top eight of the West playoff picture. With Anaheim winning last night, Calgary slipped out of the playoff picture thanks to losing the tiebreaker with Anaheim. Calgary is banged up and could use help from recently recalled Ales Kotalik. Hey, when times get rough you get desperate and for Calgary, they’re hoping they haven’t run out of gas just yet.

Phoenix @ Edmonton

The Coyotes have been rolling of late winning four of their last five games and find themselves in fifth place in the Western Conference because of it. Dealing with the much maligned Oilers in their house tonight should work out ideally for them. On the other side of things, Edmonton is in the hunt for the #1 pick in the draft this year and they’re the leaders in the clubhouse four points worse than Ottawa. Don’t worry Oilers, Adam Larsson will be yours soon enough.

10:30 p.m.

St. Louis @ Los Angeles

All right so the Blues are essentially toast and after losing to Anaheim last night we’re sure they’ll want a measure of revenge against the Kings. Sadly for them, the Kings have been playing great of late. The Kings are on a four game win streak and sit in fourth place in the West. These standings can be fleeting but the Kings finally look like they’ve got it all together. Jon Quick continues to be incredible in goal and the addition of Dustin Penner appears to be just what they needed.

Minnesota @ San Jose

The last hurrah of the Minnesota Wild? This might just be it. The Wild are four points back of Anaheim for the last playoff spot and they’ve lost three games in a row. Another loss really sinks their hopes of making the playoffs and falling any further out of the race with so few games remaining crushes their chances. The Sharks will be without Dany Heatley who’s been suspended for cheaply elbowing Steve Ott in the head. If they can keep things rolling along, they can keep the Coyotes and Kings off their heels in the race for the Pacific Division.

Carolina helped improve their shot at getting back into the eighth spot in the East by shutting out Buffalo 1-0 last night. Whether Cam Ward has another gem up his sleeve could decide whether or not the Maple Leafs still have a playoff spot to chase after. The Leafs are six out of the eighth spot and four behind Carolina in the standings. A loss would leave Toronto just 11 games to try and make up that ground and doing that would require a lot of help from other teams in between. Daunting to say the least, but it makes tonight’s game a huge one for how the Eastern Conference’s bottom end of the playoffs could shake out.

7:30 p.m.

Washington @ Detroit

The Caps won their ninth straight game beating Montreal 4-2 and as they head into Detroit they face a Wings team that’s been solid all season long and one that’s made life hard on the Caps in recent years at home. Washington hasn’t won in Detroit since November 2003 when Jaromir Jagr and Robert Lang led the Caps to victory and gave goalie Rastislav Stana his first and only victory in the NHL. The teams don’t play each other every year in Detroit, but with it being since before Alex Ovechkin arrived in Washington, that’s pretty rough. Seeing Pavel Datsyuk and Ovechkin square off on the same ice should be a treat and bring the best out of both of them.

10:00 p.m.

Colorado @ Vancouver

This could get awkward. Colorado’s lost 19 of their last 20 games while Vancouver could clinch a playoff spot and the Northwest Division title by just earning a point in this one. It’s hard to fathom that these two were close in the divisional hunt back in December but here we are nonetheless as the Canucks have a 41 point lead on the Avs. We’re guessing the Canucks will get it all wrapped up and be the first team to make the playoffs this season because the depths of how poor Colorado’s played of late is stunning.

St. Louis @ Anaheim

Anaheim seeks to get themselves back into a better position to attack for the playoffs as a win would put them ahead of Calgary for the eighth spot in the West. Both teams would have 81 points, but the Ducks have more wins and will have two games in hand on the Flames. Translation: Times are getting rough for Calgary. The Blues are playing for a bit of pride as a win would tie them in points with Columbus in the Central Division. It would also do wonders to help them play the role of spoiler for the teams trying to get in the playoffs. If you can’t join the postseason party, you might as well try to drag others into the misery with you.